New route a test of endurance

The organisers, who received a boost when a number of business establishments came forward to sponsor the event, will pray for a new National record when the runners are flagged off by Kerala assembly speaker M Vijayakumar.

Though the climate is favourable, the new route will definitely be a test of endurance for the runners. Due to this, there are no clear favourites this time around. The organisers have taken out the long stretch at bypass on the way to airport.

Reigning champion Vijay Singh Mann, 1997 champion Bhairav Singh Lone, Rajeshwar Prasad Verma, Sumir Singh, Arvind Singh, Don Bosco and Bharat Singh will among favourites. Last year, Vijay had finished in 2.34:08 to top, while Boscofinished second clocking 2:34.50.

While Vijay, a Subedar with Artillery Centre in Hyderabad, has 2:20.34 as his best time which enabled him to win the BSF Open Marathon in New Delhi in 1997, Lone’s best timing is 2;22.02 which he clocked at Hong Kong Invitational Marathon. The 27-year-old Lone, a senior ticket collector with Western Railways is determined to wrest the title in the 10th race of his career.